First it was the arrests in Pune Blast
and now it is the firing incident occurring yesterday near the
historic Jama Masjid and an e-mail reportedly sent by 'Indian
Mujahideen'. The incidents are again used as tools by a section to
paint »

New Delhi:
Jama Masjid and its surrounding areas in Delhi's old quarters was
back to its bustling self Monday, a day after gunmen opened fire
outside the 16th century mosque, injuring two Taiwanese. While
tourists came in large numbers, it was business as usual for the
numerous shops in the area.

Despite advisories from the governments of Australia and Britain
urging their nationals to refrain from visiting sensitive
locations, around 35 foreigners were seen near the historic mosque
Monday morning while many more visited the majestic Red Fort
nearby.

"Yes, there were some concerns but the mood at our camp is upbeat.
There is no scare... neither are we planning to cut short our
vacation here in India," British tourist Steve Coll told IANS as
he came out of Jama Masjid.

Two Taiwanese tourists - Ko Chang and Ku Ze Wei - were wounded
when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened random fire at a bus from
which a group of tourists was alighting near the Jama Masjid
Sunday morning.

The attack, just after 11 a.m., took place near Gate No.3 of the
mammoth, red sandstone mosque.

Though the police presence increased by the hour Monday, shops
near Jama Masjid opened at their usual time and rikshaw-pullers
eagerly awaited customers.

"We're not afraid. The event occurred, and we're over it. But we
wish that the criminals are arrested soon, or we'll be affected
adversely if tourists get scared," aid Monu, a rickshaw puller.

Ganga Singh, who works in 'Delhi's Ivory Palace', a shop opposite
Jama Masjid's Gate No.3, seemed unfazed by Sunday's shooting
incident. He opened the shutters of the shop at around 9 a.am.,
like he does on a normal working day.

"What have we to fear? Police is carrying on their
investigations...the results will come out and we'll carry out our
business as usual," Singh said.

Sanjay Chauhan, who works in a garage a liitle away from Singh's
shop, told IANS that no one in the neighbourhood was scared and
that they would assisst the police in every way possible.

"All shops will open in due time...nobody's scared of those
attackers. Work will go on as usual and we'll assist the police to
the best we can," Chauhan said.

Mohammed Amin, another rickshaw puller, said: "It is important
that those criminals are caught and their identity revealed. These
terrorists want nothing but disturbances in the city. We all will
help the police in any way we can."

A policeman, who arrived at the site at 7.30 a.am., was alert but
calm and said that everybody in the area was at peace. "People
aren't panicky or in a state of shock. There is not much to worry
about but we're watchful nevertheless," he said.

"We are watchful for any new faces and for suspicious elements,"
he said.

Visitors in tourist buses and hired taxis were seen near the
mosque and many parents were also seen escorting their young ones
inside the complex.

In other parts of the city, tourist hotspots like Connaught Place,
Gole Market and areas around Commonwealth Games venues were
heavily barricaded. Traffic restrictions were imposed at around
470 landmarks and prime locations, including Qutub Minar, Lotus
Temple and major markets.

Several motorists said they could not park their vehicles because
of the restrictions.

Police said pillion riders have been disallowed near these sites
and motorists will have to park their vehicles at least 100 metres
away from these places. CCTVs are also being installed at these
locations, police said.

Looks like over 30,000 people in Bihar want to fight an election!
They are all aspirants who have submitted their biodata to
political parties - mostly directly to party chiefs - to contest the
October-November elections »

For the first time in its 136 years history and in a
historic moment to extend its vistas to other parts of the
country, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is laying the foundation
stone of AMU Murshidabad Center in West Bengal on September
»

Two Taiwanese tourists were wounded when two gunmen on a
motorcycle opened random fire near the Jama Masjid here Sunday
morning, creating a scare ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Ko Chang and Ku Ze Wei
»

For the first time in its 136 years history and in a
historic moment to extend its vistas to other parts of the
country, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is laying the foundation
stone of AMU Murshidabad Center in West Bengal on September
»

"Without education, we are no more than animals," said Zahur Shah,
85, as he sat with his son Nizamuddin, 60, and grand daughters at
the release of a report titled "People’s Report Card on Education"
here Saturday.»

Due to the threats of riot and
terror attacks, the festive season in India
nowadays results in sleepless nights for the security
personnel.
Against this backdrop, the show of communal harmony in Malegaon by Ajantha Mandal cannot be more timely. The Mandal
in a large hoarding portrays the real picture of the Muslim
dominated textile town in North Maharashtra. It shows,
Malegaon is where Azan in a Masjid and Shunkh
in a Mandir go simultaneously. To further make its point,
the Mandal plays communal harmony songs on a cassette-player
in its full sound.

An all-party delegation led by Home Minister P. Chidambaram
arrived here Monday morning to get a first hand impression of the
situation in Jammu and Kashmir before taking steps to defuse
escalating tensions. The delegation is on a two-day visit to the
state. Members of the team are scheduled to »

A search is on for the next big thing in India-US relations after
their landmark civil nuclear deal to let President Barack Obama
truly make "history" on his India visit in early November.
From the Indian perspective, that could well be Washington's full
throated
»

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